2019 Hyundai Elantra Brings Sharper New Face, More Tech

The Korean compact sedan heads into a sharper stylistic direction.

Hyundai has refreshed the Elantra for the 2019 model year, giving it a dramatic new face, a restyled rear and more tech features than ever before.

The front end now looks more aggressive thanks to an angular grille and triangle-shaped headlights, while the rear has been modernized with thinner lights and new lettering in the space previously occupied by the license plate, which has been re-positioned to the bumper. New 15-, 16-, and 17-inch alloy wheels are also part of the redesign.

Inside, the 2019 Elantra gets a new center console and instrument cluster. A spartan 5-inch color audio system is standard, but more expensive trims benefit from an eight-inch touch screen, a wireless phone charger, as well as driving aids like collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and driver attention alert. A new processor makes the infotainment system faster.

The updates don’t extend to the car’s mechanics, however, with the standard Elantra still sourcing its power from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that sends 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels through either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT); the Elantra Sport making due with a 1.6-liter rated at 201 horsepower; and Elantra Eco variant toning things down with a 128-horsepower 1.4-liter in the name of fuel economy.

Sales of the updated, 2019 Hyundai Elantra begin in the fourth quarter of 2018.

The company brought its A-game for round eight in the midsize family car segment.

Hyundai Motors has revealed the all-new, 2020 Hyundai Sonata, and it could very well have a winner on its hands.

To counter the shrinking sedan segment, the Korean automaker went the extra mile to make the eighth-generation Sonata stand out, giving it a striking yet elegant design that can be mistaken for a car much more expensive.

It also looks sportier than the previous Sonata thanks to its longer, wider and shorter and proportions. Needless to say, designers went for an attractive “four-door coupe” look, and we think they nailed it.

“A short overhang, sloping roofline and low deck lid create a balanced feel, and Hyundai’s signature chrome accent now goes all the way into the hood, making it look even longer,” says Hyundai design VP Sang Yup Lee. “It also has LED lighting built in. These cues bring the Sensuous Sportiness design to life.”

The overhauled interior appears just as upscale and is said to draw inspiration from from a Stealth aircraft, especially the winged-shaped instrument panel desihm. Satin chrome accents, ambient lighting, leather upholstery and shift-by-wire system that frees up stowage space contribute greatly to the cabin’s premium vibe.

Owners will be able to turn their smartphone into a digital key by downloading an app that works with the onboard Near Field Communication (NFC) tech to communicate with the car and unlock the doors.

What do you think about the all-new, 2020 2020 Hyundai Sonata? Do you like how it turned out?

Hyundai Is Making A New Electric Car For 2020

The Korean automaker is setting itself up to be a preeminent electric car brand.

Hyundai already offers several electrified models, like the Kona Electric and Ioniq, but those models share platforms with gas-powered models. The company has decided to go the extra mile with an all-electric car based on a dedicated new EV platform that it plans to release in 2020.

Not much else is known about the new electric Hyundai, but it is expected to have a driving range over 250 miles when it hits the market.

Ambitious Hyundai plans to invest heavily in electrified models over the next few years and has dedicated $40 billion to developing new vehicles. Approximately $2.95 billion of that amount will go to new electrified vehicles and another $2.2 billion to autonomous vehicles.

The goal is to introduce 44 electrified models by 2025 and have a Level 4 autonomous vehicle ready by 2021 in hopes of becoming “one of the world’s top three EV manufacturers.”

Hyundai Santa Cruz Will Look Like No Other Hyundai

The Korean pickup won’t look like the concept, but it will be distinctive.

Hyundai has apparently had a change of styling direction late in the development of the Santa Cruz pickup. While the concept featured a bold design language that was in line with Hyundai’s cars and crossovers, especially the front end, the production model will look like no other Hyundai.

In an interview with , Hyundai’s head of global design, SangYup Lee, suggested that company has adopted a new company design ethos that aims to turn more heads rather than make all models instantly recognizable as a Hyundai.

In other words, Hyundai has decided to ditch the Russian doll styling theme that has taken over the industry in order to inject more excitement into its lineup.

Lee added that the production Santa Cruz “will be a lot more distinctive” and have “a lot more character” than the concept. It will still be a crossover-based pickup truck like the Honda Ridgeline, one possibly sharing a platform with the Tucson, “but the look of it is a lot more progressive.”